David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Higgs wants
to spend 8 million we ain't got to remove a dam on the Musquash yet David Coon and his buddies say
nothing?
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/01/higgs-wants-to-spend-8-million-we-aint.html
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2019/01/higgs-wants-to-spend-8-million-we-aint.html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/scott-falls-dam-musquash-saint-john-1.4984221
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Darling, Don" <Don.Darling@saintjohn.ca>
Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2019 08:03:39 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Higgs still wants to spend 8 million we
ain't got for Francphonie games or hosital beds or potholes to remove
a dam on the Musquash yet David Coon and his buddies say nothing???
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your email. My intention is to send a response directly
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Thank you for your message and please celebrate the best of our city.
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---------- Original message ----------
From: "Gallant, Brian (LEG)" <Brian.Gallant@gnb.ca>
Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2019 08:04:01 +0000
Subject: RE: Higgs still wants to spend 8 million we ain't got for
Francphonie games or hosital beds or potholes to remove a dam on the
Musquash yet David Coon and his buddies say nothing???
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Thank you for writing to the Leader of the Official Opposition of New
Brunswick. Please be assured that your e-mail will be reviewed.
If this is a media request, please forward your e-mail to
ashley.beaudin@gnb.ca
---
Nous vous remercions d’avoir communiqué avec le chef de l’opposition
officielle du Nouveau-Brunswick. Soyez assuré(e) que votre courriel
sera examiné.
Si ceci est une demande médiatique, prière de la transmettre à
ashley.beaudin@gnb.ca
---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2019 04:03:33 -0400
Subject: Higgs still wants to spend 8 million we ain't got for Francphonie games or
hosital beds or potholes to remove a
dam on the Musquash yet David Coon and his
buddies say nothing???
To: markandcaroline@gmail.com, andre@jafaust.com, oldmaison@yahoo.com, COCMoncton@gmail.com, David.Coon@gnb.ca, megan.mitton@gnb.ca,
To: markandcaroline@gmail.com, andre@jafaust.com, oldmaison@yahoo.com, COCMoncton@gmail.com, David.Coon@gnb.ca, megan.mitton@gnb.ca,
Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca, Newsroom@globeandmail.com, news@kingscorecord.com, news919@rogers.com, serge.rousselle@gnb.ca, greg.byrne@gnb.ca
greg.thompson2@gnb.ca, andrea.anderson-mason@gnb.ca
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
Robert.Jones@cbc.ca
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
Robert.Jones@cbc.ca
https://www.cbc.ca/news/
"According to NB Power, the Musquash dam and generating station were
built on the Musquash River in 1922. The station was decommissioned in
2009 after the last generator broke down.
Still, the dams remain intact and many camps and cottages have been
built by the lakes that are formed by them."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/
People worried about Scott Falls Dam removal get chance to ask questions
Dam in Musquash on the outskirts of Saint John was decommissioned in 1970s
The New Brunswick government is
hosting two open house sessions Friday and Saturday to hear any concerns
and questions about the removal of the Scott Falls Dam in southeastern
New Brunswick.
Last May, residents in the Musquash area were told the dam, built in the 1920s, must be brought down because it was no longer feasible to continue maintaining it. The dam was decommissioned in the 1970s because of weak water flow.
Removing the former power-generating dam would drain the reservoir above the dam and restore that section of the West Branch Musquash River.
Ken Kinney, manager of planning at the Crown lands branch of Energy and Resource Development, said the government allotted $8 million over two years for the project in the recent infrastructure budget.
The crumbling Scott Falls dam was decommissioned in the 1970s, allowing much of its reservoir to drain. (Connell Smith/CBC)
But
it's not a done deal, since the project has not gone through the
environmental assessment stage yet. Even before that comes public
consultation.
"Part of it will include consultations and discussion with people on that community as to how they feel they may be affected and also to inform them of our proposed decommissioning project," Kinney said.
Kinney said if the project is approved, blasting the dam is not an option. He said demolition would probably "certain mechanical concrete jackhammers."
Residents like Wayne Pollock will have an opportunity to air their grievances about the plan.
Wayne
Pollock is worried removal of the dam will hurt people in the area. He
and others have cabins on the lake the dam holds back. (Joseph Tunney/CBC)
Pollock,
who has a cottage on the Scott Falls Reservoir, said removing the dam
would remove a recreational area for cottage owners as well as beaver
and loon habitat.
"I'm hoping that they can show me some logical reason why they want to take this dam out," he told Information Morning Saint John.
He said he's hoping to get some answers at the meeting.
"Have they done studies, for example, on all the homes that are below the dam? How far they are above sea level compared to the water level behind the dam itself? … I'm hoping they have done some homework to, I guess, prove that this is the right thing to do."
Kinney said the ultimate goal is to restore the area to what it was like 100 years ago. The river will be about 30 metres wide.
"What we've got is essentially a three-year timeline here," he said. "Right now, 2019, we're doing the environment regulatory piece, the detailed design work and the submission.
"Then what will happen is a gradual drawdown of the reservoir behind the dam … and with the drawdown in phases of the head pond behind the dam."
Even after the dam is physically removed, he said, there will be much more work to do, including soil stabilization and planting vegetation.
"We don't often see a project where we can actually remove barriers in a river system, so it will be, at the end of the day, a complete restoration of the river environment," he said.
Kinney said if the project is approved, blasting the dam is not an option.
"It would probably be certain mechanical concrete jackhammers," he said.
Last May, residents in the Musquash area were told the dam, built in the 1920s, must be brought down because it was no longer feasible to continue maintaining it. The dam was decommissioned in the 1970s because of weak water flow.
Removing the former power-generating dam would drain the reservoir above the dam and restore that section of the West Branch Musquash River.
Ken Kinney, manager of planning at the Crown lands branch of Energy and Resource Development, said the government allotted $8 million over two years for the project in the recent infrastructure budget.
"Part of it will include consultations and discussion with people on that community as to how they feel they may be affected and also to inform them of our proposed decommissioning project," Kinney said.
Kinney said if the project is approved, blasting the dam is not an option. He said demolition would probably "certain mechanical concrete jackhammers."
We don't often see a project where we can actually remove barriers in a river system.- Ken Kinney, Department of Energy and Resource DevelopmentThe first open house about the project is Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Musquash fire hall, and the second will be held Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the same location.
Residents like Wayne Pollock will have an opportunity to air their grievances about the plan.
"I'm hoping that they can show me some logical reason why they want to take this dam out," he told Information Morning Saint John.
He said he's hoping to get some answers at the meeting.
"Have they done studies, for example, on all the homes that are below the dam? How far they are above sea level compared to the water level behind the dam itself? … I'm hoping they have done some homework to, I guess, prove that this is the right thing to do."
Restoring the river
Kinney said the ultimate goal is to restore the area to what it was like 100 years ago. The river will be about 30 metres wide.
"What we've got is essentially a three-year timeline here," he said. "Right now, 2019, we're doing the environment regulatory piece, the detailed design work and the submission.
"Then what will happen is a gradual drawdown of the reservoir behind the dam … and with the drawdown in phases of the head pond behind the dam."
Even after the dam is physically removed, he said, there will be much more work to do, including soil stabilization and planting vegetation.
"We don't often see a project where we can actually remove barriers in a river system, so it will be, at the end of the day, a complete restoration of the river environment," he said.
Kinney said if the project is approved, blasting the dam is not an option.
"It would probably be certain mechanical concrete jackhammers," he said.
With files from Information Morning Saint John and Connell Smith
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices New carbon tax plan presented at clean energy conference
Carbon Tax Investment Plan involves investing and reinvesting carbon tax income into the public sector
A
group of environmental activists in Saint John are urging the New
Brunswick government to create a new department, called RenewNB, to
oversee a $20 per ton carbon tax investment plan.
The plan was unveiled at the Clean Energy East Summit, held at the same time as the large, more industry-oriented East Coast Energy Conference happening at the Trade and Convention Centre next door.
With numerous politicians and businesspeople attending the larger conference, local clean energy activists felt like their message was being lost, so they got together and put together a free conference with limited funds.
Mark D'Arcy, a campaigner with Council of Canadians in Fredericton, helped to organize the conference.
"We wanted to counter the message, and this project for Energy East is years away from even a decision on it," he said.
"We'd like to see job creation programs started right now in clean energy and building efficiency."
But most of the presenters, with topics such as solar, wind, and tidal energy, were speaking to the converted: roughly 25 supporters showed up on the first day, and there were even fewer on the second.
While D'Arcy was focused largely on the job-creation aspect of the clean energy field, many presenters were more focused on the technology and plans for the energy itself.
Chris
Rouse is the founder of New Clear Free Solutions, and came up with the
plan to reinvest interest from a carbon tax into public renewable energy
organizations. (Matthew Bingley/CBC)
"First, there's an economy-wide carbon tax where everybody pays their fair share, $15 to $20 per ton," he said.
"And instead of subsidizing private industry or using it for general revenue, the money is invested into renewable energy projects."
He said the plan makes a lot of money out of a small tax because of the compound interest, where the money multiplies as it is continually reinvested into the public companies.
Rouse came up with the plan on his own at home, and while speaking with others, he realized if he used basic economic principles, he could make it work.
Now, he is in the process of getting it modelled more professionally so that he can begin presenting it to the province officially.
"Right now, there is a policy vacuum, both federally and provincially, and all the governments are looking at carbon taxes and different types," he said.
"So it's really good timing, I guess, that this is going to be an option on the table."
The plan was unveiled at the Clean Energy East Summit, held at the same time as the large, more industry-oriented East Coast Energy Conference happening at the Trade and Convention Centre next door.
With numerous politicians and businesspeople attending the larger conference, local clean energy activists felt like their message was being lost, so they got together and put together a free conference with limited funds.
Mark D'Arcy, a campaigner with Council of Canadians in Fredericton, helped to organize the conference.
"We wanted to counter the message, and this project for Energy East is years away from even a decision on it," he said.
"We'd like to see job creation programs started right now in clean energy and building efficiency."
But most of the presenters, with topics such as solar, wind, and tidal energy, were speaking to the converted: roughly 25 supporters showed up on the first day, and there were even fewer on the second.
Compounded carbon tax
While D'Arcy was focused largely on the job-creation aspect of the clean energy field, many presenters were more focused on the technology and plans for the energy itself.
Chris Rouse, the founder of New Clear Free Solutions, came up with the carbon tax and investment plan the group is promoting.
"And instead of subsidizing private industry or using it for general revenue, the money is invested into renewable energy projects."
He said the plan makes a lot of money out of a small tax because of the compound interest, where the money multiplies as it is continually reinvested into the public companies.
Rouse came up with the plan on his own at home, and while speaking with others, he realized if he used basic economic principles, he could make it work.
Now, he is in the process of getting it modelled more professionally so that he can begin presenting it to the province officially.
"Right now, there is a policy vacuum, both federally and provincially, and all the governments are looking at carbon taxes and different types," he said.
"So it's really good timing, I guess, that this is going to be an option on the table."
Musquash eyed for possible hydro dam by environmentalist
Retired Fundy Baykeeper David Thompson says hydro dam could generate 30 megawatts of electricity
A long-time New Brunswick
environmentalist is hoping Saint John Energy is looking at East Musquash
as a potential site for a hydro-electric power station.
David Thompson says a generating station there would be cost effective and have little or no impact on the environment.
Thompson is a retired Fundy Baykeeper and long-time advocate for the protection of the Musquash estuary.
He's also familiar with the system of lakes and dams that make up the Musquash fresh-water system.
"This is a site that would be very, very valued if it was down in the United States or if it was up in Ontario," says Thompson.
"It would be very easy to put in the station."
Thompson said the dams, roadways and power-line right-of-ways are already in place.
He adds a modern hydro station would be far more efficient than the 60- to 70-year-old generators that had operated on the site before NB Power shut it down several years ago.
At one point the station created 7.5 megawatts from three generators.
Thompson said he believes a new station could generate up to 30 megawatts using the same amount of water.
An operating power station at East Musquash would also ensure the dams on the lake system are better monitored and maintained.
"Many times now there's too much water, says Thompson.
"It's flooding camps, which are upstream of the dams around these lakes. And also the community has to evacuate at times in the spring when there are big rainstorms and freshets."
The opening into the renewable energy business springs from NB Power's Integrated Resource Plan released in 2014.
It looks at ways to get the amount of renewable energy on the grid up to the 40 per cent mark by 2020.
NB Power has allotted space for 75 megawatts of energy from sources like hydro, wind and solar.
Saint John Mayor Mel Norton was in Edmundston last week talking to officials about the northwestern city’s hydro dams.
Edmundston and Saint John both have municipal power utilities.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices David Thompson says a generating station there would be cost effective and have little or no impact on the environment.
Thompson is a retired Fundy Baykeeper and long-time advocate for the protection of the Musquash estuary.
He's also familiar with the system of lakes and dams that make up the Musquash fresh-water system.
"This is a site that would be very, very valued if it was down in the United States or if it was up in Ontario," says Thompson.
"It would be very easy to put in the station."
Thompson said the dams, roadways and power-line right-of-ways are already in place.
He adds a modern hydro station would be far more efficient than the 60- to 70-year-old generators that had operated on the site before NB Power shut it down several years ago.
At one point the station created 7.5 megawatts from three generators.
Thompson said he believes a new station could generate up to 30 megawatts using the same amount of water.
An operating power station at East Musquash would also ensure the dams on the lake system are better monitored and maintained.
"Many times now there's too much water, says Thompson.
"It's flooding camps, which are upstream of the dams around these lakes. And also the community has to evacuate at times in the spring when there are big rainstorms and freshets."
The opening into the renewable energy business springs from NB Power's Integrated Resource Plan released in 2014.
It looks at ways to get the amount of renewable energy on the grid up to the 40 per cent mark by 2020.
NB Power has allotted space for 75 megawatts of energy from sources like hydro, wind and solar.
Saint John Mayor Mel Norton was in Edmundston last week talking to officials about the northwestern city’s hydro dams.
Edmundston and Saint John both have municipal power utilities.
Publicly Investing A $20/Ton Carbon tax would create 15,000 – 20,000 lifetime jobs, says New Brunswick groups
Press Conference – at 10:00am on Tuesday, June 14th at the Saint John Free Public Library, 1 Market Square, Saint John
A coalition of New Brunswick groups kick off the start of their clean energy and efficiency summit by asking Premier Brian Gallant to create a government department called RenewNB. Set up as a public investment fund, it would oversee the use of a $20/Ton carbon tax revenue to create a massive job creation program by investing into clean energy and building efficiency programs. This investment strategy would create 15,000 – 20,000 lifetime jobs, eventually wipe out NB Power debt, and generate over $2 Billion in extra revenue for the province once the transition to a low carbon economy is complete.
The following will be included at the head table:
– Mark D’Arcy, Council of Canadians – Fredericton chapter
– Garth Hood, certified Passive House consultant in Fredericton
– Sharon Murphy, Team EcoHealth
– Serge Plourde, Vice President-at-large, CUPE NB
– Chris Rouse, Saint John
– David Thompson, Saint John
– Dr. Paula Tippett, Council of Canadians – Saint John chapter
We invite you to our press conference at 10:00am on Tuesday, June 14th at the Saint John Free Public Library, 1 Market Square, Saint John
Update
SAINT JOHN – A coalition of New Brunswick groups kick off the start of their clean energy and efficiency summit by asking Premier Brian Gallant to create a government department called RenewNB. Set up as a public investment fund, it would oversee the use of a $20/Ton carbon tax revenue to create a massive job creation program by investing into clean energy and building efficiency programs. This investment strategy would create 15,000 – 20,000 lifetime jobs, eventually wipe out NB Power debt, and generate over $2 Billion in extra revenue for the province once the transition to a low carbon economy is complete.
“A $20/Ton carbon tax would initially generate $300 million/year to be invested into public energy programs. Instead of giving the money away to private corporations in subsidies, or using the money for general revenue, this money would be transparently invested into publicly-owned renewable energy projects for the benefit of all New Brunswickers. The electricity generated by these projects would then earn 7 cents per kilowatt hour (7cents/kwh) from NB Power, and this revenue that would be reinvested once again by RenewNB. This is less than NB Powers current total cost of 9.1 cents/kwh, so it will help keep rates low and stable.” said Chris Rouse
“Reinvesting profits back into growth is the hallmark of any good business, and the same principles as a well invested RRSP. This would result in a near doubling of the initial $300 million per year to $565 million per year in just 10 years without any additional rate increases. This is due to compound interest.” adds Rouse.
“The concept of reinvesting in environmentally-friendlier energy production and energy efficiency to create a compound interest effect is founded economic theory,” University of New Brunswick economist Rob Moir told Rouse. Dr. Moir said the approach “should be considered by all provinces and not only New Brunswick.”
“CUPE’s National Environmental policy calls for a rapid expansion of clean, renewable and energy delivered by the public sector,” says Serge Plourde, CUPE NB. “Canada must take a leadership role on climate change and help push the world to a brighter, more sustainable future, by moving to a green economy.”
“A flagship project for RenewNB would be to celebrate the centennial of our public utility, NB Power, with investing in the refurbishment of the Musquash Generating Station,” says Saint John resident and retired Fundy Baykeeper David Thompson. “New Brunswick Electric Power Company was originally created in 1920 to build the Musquash dam. All the dams, roads, power line, and west branch water tunnel are already in place. “
“It has been proven, including with New Brunswick examples, that investing energy efficiency in buildings is cost effective and usually the least costly building option – when future energy savings are considered. An energy efficient building will use more local labour & materials, creating more local jobs.” says Garth Hood, a certified Passive House consultant in Fredericton.
“It is not fair to our underemployed workers to delay this huge job creation opportunity any longer,” says Mark D’Arcy, a member of the Fredericton chapter of the Council of Canadians. “Our world leaders decided in Paris last year that we will limit the effects of global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and it is time we all get to work fulfilling that commitment.”
The Clean Energy East Summit is being held at the Saint John Free Public Library, 1 Market Square on Tuesday, June 14th (10am-4pm) and Wednesday June 15 (12noon-4pm).
https://db.nben.ca/
Friends of the Musquash
279 Mansfield Place
Unit #2
Saint John, E2M 5R8
Phone: 506 -672-4807
Primary contact: David Thompson
Language of Service: English
Scope of Activities: Local
Region: Southwest
Purpose: Promote
the proper management of a Marine Protected area in the Musquash
estuary, Bay of Fundy, and to expand the protected area.
Resources Available to the Public: Environmental monitoring, Environmental research
Saint John Energy eyes hydro project at Musquash
Engineering firm hired to study feasibility of redeveloping site for power generation
Saint John Energy is looking hard at hydro power generation in Musquash.
The city-owned utility has hired Hatch, a Mississaugua-based engineering firm, to study the proposal.
"The work is underway at Musquash," said Ray Robinson, the president and chief executive officer of Saint John Energy.
"We're looking at more of a technical concept study to see if it would make economic sense to redevelop hydro at the Musquash watershed."
Saint
John Energy president Ray Robinson says the utility is studying whether
it makes economic sense to redevelop hydro generation in Musquash. (Saint John Energy)
In 2014, NB Power released the Integrated Resource Plan, a document that opens the door to community-generated energy from renewable sources. That change would permit the city to step out of its current role, which limits it to distributing electricity purchased from NB Power.
"It's been confirmed that we do qualify for that program," said Robinson.
"Hopefully it will be feasible."
Robinson said Hatch engineers have been asked to determine the optimum size for a generator given the volume of water that exists in the Musquash lakes system.
"They're doing the wizardry and we'll see what comes of it," said Robinson, who expects to see some of the study results in a couple of weeks.
David Thompson, a long-time environmentalist, said in May that he was hoping that Saint John Energy would use the Musquash dam to generate power.
Earlier this year, Saint John Mayor Mel Norton was in Edmundston to speak with officials about the northwestern city's hydro dams.
Edmundston and Saint John both have municipal power utilities.
The city-owned utility has hired Hatch, a Mississaugua-based engineering firm, to study the proposal.
"The work is underway at Musquash," said Ray Robinson, the president and chief executive officer of Saint John Energy.
"We're looking at more of a technical concept study to see if it would make economic sense to redevelop hydro at the Musquash watershed."
For several decades, beginning in 1922, NB Power operated a small hydro power station at Musquash.
Although the station has since been decommissioned, the dams, roadways and power-line right-of-ways remain in place.In 2014, NB Power released the Integrated Resource Plan, a document that opens the door to community-generated energy from renewable sources. That change would permit the city to step out of its current role, which limits it to distributing electricity purchased from NB Power.
"It's been confirmed that we do qualify for that program," said Robinson.
"Hopefully it will be feasible."
Robinson said Hatch engineers have been asked to determine the optimum size for a generator given the volume of water that exists in the Musquash lakes system.
"They're doing the wizardry and we'll see what comes of it," said Robinson, who expects to see some of the study results in a couple of weeks.
David Thompson, a long-time environmentalist, said in May that he was hoping that Saint John Energy would use the Musquash dam to generate power.
Earlier this year, Saint John Mayor Mel Norton was in Edmundston to speak with officials about the northwestern city's hydro dams.
Edmundston and Saint John both have municipal power utilities.
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